Network marketing compensation system containing non-networking component

Abstract

Network marketing compensation systems and methods that have been modified to include compensation for those that are not initially in the network are described. In particular, this application describes compensation methods that include creating a network compensation system for sales of products, the system containing a unilevel distribution network with at least five levels of distributors, allowing an affiliate to recommend a product to a customer, allocating a position in the network to the affiliate, and distributing compensation under the system to the affiliate and the distributor in near real time upon purchase of the product by the customer. These compensation systems and associated methods have a great potential to increase involvement by customers (and others outside the network like an affiliate) that otherwise might not be attracted to it. Other embodiments are described.

1 . A compensation method, comprising:
 creating a network compensation system for sales of products, the system containing a distribution network with multiple levels of distributors;   allowing an affiliate to recommend a product to a customer;   allocating a position in the network to the affiliate; and   distributing compensation under the system to the affiliate or a distributor in near real time upon purchase of the product by the customer.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the network compensation system comprises a unilevel system with 5 levels of distributors. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the affiliate recommends a product using sponsored websites, banner ads, text ads, social media, links on its own websites, email to its own connections, or purchase or referral link with a discount code, or via social media. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the discount code is generated automatically when the affiliate or the distributor accesses the network compensation system. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising allowing the affiliate to choose to become a distributor in the network compensation system. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising removing the affiliate from the network if the affiliate stops recommending products to a customer for a specific time period. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein both the affiliate and the distributor receive compensation upon purchase of a product by a consumer referred by the affiliate. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the affiliate is compensated differently than the distributor. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the compensation received by the affiliate is only a specific percentage of the product price. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7 , where multiple distributors receive compensation upon purchase of the product. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the affiliate can receive additional compensation if the customer purchasing the product recommends the product to another customer who also purchases the product. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising distributing the compensation via ACH transfer, wire, credit to an existing account, electronic transfer to a debit card or credit card, or via a third party payment platform. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein distributing the compensation first comprises calculating the amount of the compensation. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein calculating the amount of the compensation is performed in seconds or minutes. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the compensation is distributed to the affiliate or the distributor within second or minutes. 
     
     
         16 . A compensation method, comprising:
 creating a network compensation system for sales of products, the system containing a distribution network with multiple levels of distributors;   allowing an affiliate to recommend a product to a customer using sponsored websites, banner ads, text ads, social media, links on its own websites, email to its own connections, or purchase or referral link with a discount code, or via social media;   allocating a position in the network to the affiliate; and   distributing compensation under the system to the affiliate and a distributor in near real time upon purchase of the product by the customer referred by the affiliate.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising allowing the affiliate to choose to become a distributor in the network compensation system. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the affiliate is compensated differently than the distributor. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the affiliate can receive additional compensation if the customer purchasing the product recommends the product to another customer who also purchases the product. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising distributing the compensation via ACH transfer, wire, credit to an existing account, electronic transfer to a debit card or credit card, or via a third party payment platform within second or minutes.